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1 Book Rec

Book Excerpts

Reader Notes

Signed Copies

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For twelve years I’ve been sharing books with you in this letter. Today I’m sharing my own.

Here are excerpts from Raising Athena: a Mother and Daughter Attend West Point Thirty Years Apart. Three passages. Three moments in the book that will resonate with families of those who serve.

From the Prologue —

The fear and struggle I felt as a mother for my daughter kept me awake at night and began in earnest with her decision to attend West Point. So I wanted an understanding of why I had chosen this path, what I had hidden or pushed away, and the challenges my daughter might face. If I could get a handle on my reasons for going, surely I could grasp my daughter’s.

From the Prologue, closing —

What scared me so much? The possibility of death, injury, assault, trauma; yes to all of those. The growing divide between a society and its defenders meant waning involvement from citizens, and leaders who have less and less at stake when they send troops to war. Coming to terms with the risks and facing them in the broad light of motherhood was a long, hard ride. The ride was necessary and, though far from over, allowed me to move along this path towards a kind of personal peace, or at least the occasional night’s sleep. One thing my daughter has that I did not, is a mother who wore combat boots.

From the final chapter —

The fear parents have for children who join the military is hard to explain to others who have not lived it. The parent suffers from fear of the unknown, where the child is or what could or might happen. They fear the perils in training and in war, the harm and injury to body and to their emotional, mental well-being. The greatest and worst fear is the fear of loss, of devastation and death. What I had not feared for myself in uniform, I now feared for Cara.

READERS SHARED THIS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS

“I’m halfway through and absolutely blown away by the quality of the writing. You have a gift in the way you express experiences on the written page. Some of the best writing I’ve ever read.”
— Lorraine

“I started reading Raising Athena. It’s wonderful. I’m just getting started but so far Cara’s letter and [the author’s] have made me cry!”
— Lieutenant General (ret)

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SIGNED COPIES — DIRECT FROM THE AUTHOR

I’ve been signing and mailing books to readers in the mornings, from friends and people I’ve met at the launch to TreeHouseLetter readers.

If you’ve been waiting — here’s how to get one. Happy to inscribe — let me know who it’s for.

Order your signed copy. Pay via Venmo, Zelle, or Square. Let me know you’re a TreeHouseLetter reader or veteran or parent of family member in uniform.

Hardcover: $30 (tax included)
Shipping: $5.22 (domestic only)
Total: $35.22

Simply REPLY to this TreeHouseLetter OR

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ORDER A SIGNED COPY HERE

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A GIFT FOR THE SEASON

Raising Athena is a meaningful gift for the people in your life who understand service.

Mother’s Day — May 11
Memorial Day — May 26
Father’s Day — June 15

For military parents, veterans, and anyone who knows the weight of watching someone they love choose to serve. A signed, inscribed copy ships within days.

Thank you for being a TreeHouseLetter reader.

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